HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is debating legislation to impose a tax on natural gas drilling and divide the proceeds among state and local governments, environmental programs and others.

The House on Tuesday took up the proposal by Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans, a Philadelphia Democrat, to tax gas at the rate of 39 cents per 1,000 cubic feet. The rate is based on the price of natural gas, and could rise if the price rises.